The banquet is over.
Zhu Youtang ordered Zhu Houzhao to study, while he had some simple conversations with Zhang Zhou and prepared to send Zhang Zhou out of the palace.
Zhu Youtang said to his son's teacher as if he were a father: "The prince seems to be a martial artist, and even I have to look at the opinions he occasionally makes."
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, if the prince becomes a martial artist in the future, what choice should your Majesty make?"
As a person who has experienced history, Zhang Zhou is using historical allusions to seek the opinions of a father who is still unclear about the future prospects.
"I have been weak since I was a child, and all I have been taught by officials is benevolence, filial piety, etiquette, and etiquette. I have never even been on horseback, let alone accomplished martial arts or expanded territories."
"I use civil servants to govern the country. In fact, I also hope that the prince will be both civil and military, but let's not go too far, because I know that the kings who have been martial since ancient times will either conquer the world and be famous for a lifetime, or they will be dubbed as being militaristic and will be infamy for eternity. The prince will be able to serve me for hundreds of years in the future. After that, my wish is enough to protect the territory of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Youtang's words were serious and thoughtful, and he seemed to regard Zhang Zhou as a close friend before he said these words.
Dai Yi and Xiao Jing next to them both lowered their heads and pretended to be deaf as much as possible.
Because these words, just hearing them, are a kind of transgression.
Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "I understand."
Zhu Youtang also seemed to feel that this topic was a bit heavy, and said with a smile: "Bingkuan, you once predicted that there would be problems in this exam, do you still think so now?"
Zhang Zhou said: "After the second game came out, there were rumors of scandal, pointing directly at Bachelor Cheng."
"It's true... Cheng Minzheng has been absent from the court for many years. He returned to the court less than a year ago. I originally wanted to use him as a cabinet minister to reserve talents. It coincided with the National Examination and the war in the northwest. As you can see, The three ministers in the cabinet are stretched thin, but now it seems... maybe I did something bad with good intentions and acted too hastily."
Zhu Youtang felt somewhat regretful.
It goes against his original intention to think highly of Cheng Minzheng but not to do so.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty, we are not sure yet, or I may be unfounded."
"I was too stubborn before and insisted on letting him be the examiner. If this examination is over and he can survive it safely, I will not be in a hurry to promote him. I will let him hide his talents and bide his time in the Hanlin Academy for a few more years before we talk about it."
The emperor probably had little confidence in using Cheng Minzheng.
Now that the proposal has not yet been raised, the emperor has made up his mind to let go of Cheng Minzheng's important role.
It can be regarded as a kind of protection for Cheng Minzheng.
…
…
Zhang Zhou had to rush out of the palace before dark and go to Gongyuan to take the third examination of policy questions.
Although the exam does not start until the next morning, the entrance gate will be closed during the last shift. Candidates must enter, otherwise the door will not be opened to greet the candidates early the next morning.
That night, Zhu Youtang took the medicine given by Zhang Zhou and slept peacefully in the back hall of Qianqing Palace. He had not had a good rest for several days. Just after the first watch, Zhu Youtang went to bed.
However, Empress Zhang had not seen her husband for a few days. That day she heard that her husband had gone to see the prince. She thought that her husband was busy with court affairs, so she came to Qianqing Palace to meet her in person. She wanted to be gentle, but was ignored by Xiao. Please inform me that the emperor has gone to bed.
"Going to bed so early?"
Queen Zhang was a little dissatisfied.
She felt that her husband was deliberately avoiding her and did not want to see her.
After Zhang Yanling was imprisoned, the couple quarreled and the cold war continued. Queen Zhang felt that her husband's heart was no longer on her side.
Xiao Jing looked confused: "Your Majesty has been overworked for the northwest military deployment recently. He just took medicine today and went to bed early. Tomorrow there may be some reports about the war, so he will have a busy day..."
"Who has your Majesty seen?"
Empress Zhang was afraid that her husband would be deceived by some "little goblin".
Even though Xiao Jing didn't want to say it, he still told the truth: "I met Zhang Gongsheng. I asked about important military matters."
"Your Majesty has time to see Zhang Bingkuan, but you don't even have time to meet me?" Queen Zhang was angry, but she generally knew that what her husband was talking about when meeting Zhang Zhou was state affairs.
If her husband wanted to talk to her, she would make a huge fuss if Zhang Yanling was involved.
What does she know about state affairs?
"Besides Zhang Bingkuan, who else has your Majesty seen in the past few days?"
"There are Mr. Liu Ge, Mr. Xie Ge, Ma Butang and others..."
"Didn't the Empress Dowager find any maids? Didn't anything happen to attend the bedchamber?" Empress Zhang was afraid that the old lady was playing dirty tricks, so she took advantage of the couple's quarrel to seduce women next to the emperor.
Xiao Jing was so frightened that he lost his mind and said hurriedly: "Never."
After hearing this, Queen Zhang's expression improved slightly. Before leaving, she said: "Your Majesty, wake up and tell him that I have been here. Besides, I have always kept the door open for him. He can come over at any time..."
"yes."
After Xiao Jing answered, he lowered his head and waited until Queen Zhang walked away before he dared to raise his head to take a look.
Dai Yi came out of the nearby palace and asked, "What is the queen's mission?"
Xiao Jing almost repeated it 1510 times.
Dai Yi sighed: "Your Majesty listened to Mr. Zhang's words and took Mr. Zhang's medicine. I was finally able to sleep well. The battle report is expected to come early tomorrow morning. How can you think of anything else? Let's divide the work well. I'm worth it." In the middle of the night, Houyou and Chen Kuan came at midnight to get things done quickly."
…
…
This night.
Zhu Youtang slept peacefully, almost until dawn.
After getting up, Zhu Youtang was still very happy and did not feel anxious at all because the Northwest War Report did not come.
"Tell the ministers at the Meridian Gate to let them go to the Wenhua Hall and ask the dining room to prepare some breakfast for them... I also told them that today's court meeting may last until very late, and I am not in a hurry to go there. I will go again after Chen hour."
Zhu Youtang listened to Zhang Zhou's words, and there will be a battle report this morning.
Then don't do morning and afternoon dynasties, just do them together.
After a good rest, it's time to take a rest. When the battle report is almost here, take the battle report with you, or wait with the minister.
"Your Majesty, then you..."
Dai Yi had just gotten up and was a little sleepy at this time, so he asked.
Zhu Youtang said: "I will go to pay my respects to the emperor's grandmother first. I haven't been there for the past few days."
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty, the queen also came yesterday..."
"Queen, I don't have time to see her these days. Let's talk about it later."
With that said, Zhu Youtang asked the eunuch to come over and sort it out for him before going to Kunning Palace.
Dai Yi reminded: "The Empress Dowager may not be up yet."
"No, the Imperial Grandmother gets up very early every day. When I was young, I lived with the Imperial Grandmother, and it was the Imperial Grandmother who urged me to get up and study..."
Zhu Youtang mentioned this with a deep affection on his face.
…
…
Wenhua Hall.
Although it was a court meeting that day, it was moved to the Wenhua Hall, mainly because this was the place where the emperor usually gave banquets to ministers.
The prince will not come to the Wenhua Palace to study that day, but the emperor will arrive later, waiting with them for the report of the Northwest War, and doing some deliberations before and after.
As soon as the ministers arrived, the desk was prepared in the palace and breakfast began to be served.
The breakfast in the palace is not too special, it is just rice porridge, vegetables and the like, with a slight meaty taste, and eggs and other items are also added to ensure that these ministers have the strength to complete the morning meeting.
"Mr. Liu Ge, it stands to reason that we should have reached a conclusion today, right?"
Min Gui, the censor of Zuodu, went over with several famous officials and spoke to Liu Jian as if asking for instructions.
Liu Jian nodded.
Xie Qian on the side said: "Everyone, what are the expected results?"
This was said with a hint of ridicule.
Of course, Min Gui couldn't say that he expected Wang Yue to lose, but he didn't think it was a good thing for Wang Yue to win.
Forget it for others, he, Min Gui, had previously accused Wang Yue of using the army incorrectly, not only using harsh words, but also becoming enemies with Wang Yue. If Wang Yue achieved a great victory, he would be embarrassed.
So from Min Gui's point of view, Wang Yue can win, but it is best to win miserably. It is also a good result for the Tatars to withdraw after the looting is over. In short... Wang Yue cannot be made comfortable.
Xu Qiong, who was eating in the front row, looked back and said, "Everyone, to put it bluntly, even if Wang Weining wins, if His Majesty's expectations are not met, I'm afraid Wang Weining will still have to bear the responsibility. There were many copies yesterday. An urgent report came, saying that it was at Pianguan and other places. Because of Wang Weining's withdrawal, a lot of grain, livestock, weapons and equipment were lost."
Xu Qiong was actually reminding Min Gui.
No need to be too pessimistic.
Even if Wang Yue wins, we can attack him from another angle, saying that he used a humiliating way to achieve a victory, regardless of the interests of the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops, the expenses of the court, and even the lives of the people...
Just put a hat on it.
Who wouldn't?
Before breakfast was finished, Xiao Jing came in a hurry and said he was looking for Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng.
Then, under the eyes of everyone, the two of them were called out by Xiao Jing for a face-to-face interview, and then Xiao Jing left again.
When Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng returned to Wenhua Hall, the eunuch was already clearing away the dishes on the table.
Everyone also stood up and gathered around.
"There is no result yet, but we have learned that Wang Weining made a briefing before the war started, stating that he would lead a surprise attack on Pianguan with 3,000 cavalry on the night of February 13th, and stated that there were 1,000 soldiers and horses left in Pianguan. Ambush." Liu Jiandao.
Xie Qian said: "What kind of tactic is this? How many troops are stationed in the Tatar city?"
Liu Jian sighed: "It's not clear yet, but it's estimated to be at least tens of thousands."
After listening to Liu Jian's words, the discussion started.
It was previously known that Wang Yue led his troops and civilians to withdraw from Piantou Pass, but it was not clear whether he was going to continue to lure the enemy deeper and encircle them, or whether he was going to lead his troops back and kill them.
It's clear now.
Wang Yue's plan was to lead three thousand cavalry and turn back while the Tatars were not yet firmly established in the pass.
"Three thousand, is it a little less?" Zhou Jing, the Minister of Household Affairs, questioned with a wry smile.
Xu Guandao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, said: "A thousand ambush troops are left in the city, but you want to take advantage of Di Yi's unpreparedness and set fire to the city to disrupt the morale of Di Yi's army?"
The only tactic Xu Guan could think of was to set fire to the city and drive the Tatars out of the fortress.
But there are only a thousand people...what can they do?
Liu Jian didn't answer.
Ma Wensheng on the side said: "I have also asked Eunuch Xiao about this matter. Eunuch Xiao kept it secret, but I guess... there are other arrangements."
(End of chapter)
